Selena Gomez Speaks Out As She Cancels ALL Her Engagements

Celebrity Gossip

Posted on August 31, 2016

After months of travelling the world for her Revival World Tour, Selena Gomez is taking a break to take care of herself.

"As many of you know, around a year ago I revealed that I have lupus, an illness that can affect people in different ways," the singer and actress, 24, tells PEOPLE exclusively in a statement. "I've discovered that anxiety, panic attacks and depression can be side effects of lupus, which can present their own challenges."

"I want to be proactive and focus on maintaining my health and happiness and have decided that the best way forward is to take some time off. Thank you to all my fans for your support. You know how special you are to me, but I need to face this head on to ensure I am doing everything possible to be my best. I know I am not alone by sharing this, I hope others will be encouraged to address their own issues," she continues.

People magazine have spoken to Kenneth M.Farber, the CEO of Lupus Research Alliance who said ‘’It is not commonly known that depression, anxiety and panic attacks can be side effects of lupus. We are so proud of Selena for taking care of herself and bringing awareness to this sometimes very misunderstood illness."

A source close to Gomez went on to tell the magazine that the break is ‘’not related to substance abuse’’ and was taken as she ‘’hadn’t felt like herself’’ over the last couple of months.

The source continued saying "She decided to clear her calendar for the year to have this be her priority for future happiness and didn't want to leave any promoters at bay,"

"She feels relieved that she can now make more sense of why she was feeling the way she was and is optimistic about the future."

It was confirmed last year the singer was battling the autoimmune disease, telling Billboard that she underwent chemotherapy as treatment during a break in 2013.

"I wanted so badly to say, 'You guys have no idea. I'm in chemotherapy. You're ass-----.' I locked myself away until I was confident and comfortable again," Gomez told the publication.

In July, at her Melbourne concert Selena said that she cancelled her Melbourne concert two years ago because ''well to be real, I kinda just lost my mind for a second.''